The Week In Retail Issue 40

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

COKE UNVEILS D2C SITE NFRN HANDS OUT £125K CADBURY GETS NUTTY

RETAILER PROFILE

COMMUNITY SUPPORT FLOODS IN

WARRINGTON RETAILER HOLDS FLOODHIT COMMUNITY TOGETHER

MEDIA

SNAPPY RETURNS TO TV

NEW CAMPAIGN FROM SNAPPY SHOPPER

+ ABSOLUT PAPER-BASED BOTTLE ROLLS OUT Commercial Partner:

Brought to you by:

Issue 40 Wednesday 27th January 2021

Symbol Partner:

FIZZ UP YOUR SALES YOUR SALES

GREAT TASTE, QUALITY AND VALUE FANTASTIC RANGE OF BEST-SELLING FLAVOURS

THE WEEK IN RETAIL

EDITOR’S COMMENT SHARE YOUR NEWS AND VIEWS WITH ME AT ABEGLEY@55NORTH.COM

WHAT’S THE FUTURE OF D2C? Coronavirus has changed a lot of things, that’s a given. Many of them have been positive for the sector but some of them are potentially a little more alarming. I stumbled upon Coke’s new direct-to-consumer (D2C) website recently after hearing about it in a post from a Coke employee on LinkedIn and immediately wondered why they hadn’t been shouting about it themselves.

The answer, of course, is fairly obvious. D2C cuts retail and wholesale out of the supply chain so it’s not something that the big suppliers will want to go shouting about.

To be clear, Coke are far from the first to have a go at D2C and they follow a long line of major suppliers dipping their toe into the D2C water over the last year or so.

The attractions to a supplier of developing a D2C channel are obvious. No retailers or wholesalers taking their cut, more control over how the brand is presented to the consumer, the prospect of building a database of consumers that they can talk to directly and so on. Many have

predicted in the past that in 10 or 20 years’ time there will be no retail or wholesale channels at all, with suppliers exclusively going D2C, but that always seemed far-fetched.

It would require a shift of epic proportions to reach that stage, but these small plays by companies like Coke and Pernod Ricard undoubtedly reflect an interest in the channel, if not some form of commitment to developing it.

Granted, it’s very small scale at this stage and the big suppliers clearly aren’t shouting about it from the rooftops, but setting up a D2C offer requires a lot of work, manpower and investment. It’s not a decision anyone will have taken lightly.

So is it just a token bit of Covid opportunism? Is it an attempt to recoup some money lost through the collapse of hospitality? Or is it the first step in a longer term strategy that could ultimately see suppliers competing directly with their current customers (retailers and wholesalers) for the consumer’s precious pound?

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

6

15 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020

ABSOLUT SUSTAINABILITY

The UK’s coronavirus death toll tops 100,000 as Amazon announces further range reductions in NI.

The winners are revealed for the first time today in a special digital handbook.

The premium vodka brand trials a paper-based, fully recyclable bottle in the UK and Sweden.

8 COVID-19 UPDATE

A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST

29 GROCERYAID DAY

35 OUT THE BOX: COCA-COLA D2C WEBSITE

CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS. 12 STORE PROFILE: NISA LOCAL DALLAM

34

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN

COKE IS THE LATEST MAJOR SUPPLIER

RAISING AWARENESS OF THE INDUSTRY

TO START SELLING PRODUCTS DIRECT TO

CHARITY.

CONSUMERS.

MIKE SOHAL HAD TO PULL OUT ALL THE

30 PICKS OF THE WEEK

37 BEFORE YOU GO...

STOPS RECENTLY AFTER SEVERE FLOODS

HIT WARRINGTON.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

A LOOK AT THE LATEST NEW PRODUCTS AND MARKETING CAMPAIGNS.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

THE WORLD MARMALADE AWARDS GETS OUT OF A STICKY SITUATION.

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

ACOSTA COLLECTIVE

COVID-19

execution and category advice

CORONAVIRUS DEATH TOLL TOPS 100,000

provider Acosta Europe as its

AS PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON ACKNOWLEDGED IN

18th partner. Acosta is parent

PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY, THE TOTAL UK CORONAVIRUS DEATH

company of Reach, ShopSmart

TOLL IS NOW IN SIX FIGURES.

Retail consultancy C-Store Collective has announced field

Agency, Disrupt and Flexforce.

The business holds long-term partnerships with brand owners including Nestlé, Heineken, Premier Foods and British American Tobacco.

CURIE CASH Spar wholesaler for the north of England James Hall & Co has reached another milestone

More than 100,000 people in the UK have now died as a consequence of coronavirus, after more than 1,600 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded in the latest figures.

Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson accepted “full responsibility” for the government’s actions but added that “we truly did everything we could”.

The UK is the first European nation to pass the distressing landmark and only the fifth country on earth to record 100,000 deaths after the US, Brazil, India and Mexico.

in its fundraising activities for end of life care charity Marie Curie. The company has now raised over £400,000 since March 2017 through in-store fundraising in Spar stores across the region. This figure will help to fund 20,000 hours of care for families across the UK facing terminal illness.

JL COUGHS UP The John Lewis Partnership has finally agreed to repay the £300m it received in Covid loans from the government.

The retailer was one of the few major retailers to initially refuse to commit to repaying the loan.

25 YEARS OF COMPLIANCE Alcohol marketing watchdog The Portman Group has kicked off the 25th anniversary of its Code of Practice by publishing a new report showing that between 2018 and 2020, there was 95% compliance to the Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks. This is up from 92% in 2012.

The report also covers the development of the Sixth edition of the Code that, importantly, includes details on updated guidance and new rules covering the explicit protection of the vulnerable and prevention of serious or widespread offence.

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CEO Matt Lambert said: “This shows a strong record of effective regulatory performance over the past three years. The industry’s high level of compliance with our ever-evolving code enables us to fly the flag for a responsible alcohol industry with the public and the Government. At a time when politicians in neighbouring nations are increasingly turning their attention to introducing statutory restrictions on alcohol marketing, the sector’s support and adherence to the Code helps us safe-guard effective and appropriate self-regulation for the sector.”

NEWS DIGEST

THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

ESSO NECTAR

BREXIT

AMAZON TO REDUCE RANGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Nectar, the loyalty scheme used by Esso, has partnered with British Airways, letting members convert Nectar points into Avios. From Monday, existing balances

ONLINE GIANT TO FURTHER REDUCE THE RANGE OF PRODUCTS

could be converted and future

AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AS A RESULT OF

points will also be eligible for

THE IRISH SEA BORDER.

conversion into Avios, which can be redeemed on BA flights,

The impacts of Brexit are already being felt with confirmation from Amazon that it is preparing to remove some products for sale to customers in Northern Ireland as a result of the Irish Sea border.

This is most likely to affect categories like food supplements and OTC medicines and comes after

Amazon stopped selling BWS products in Northern Ireland at the start of this year over concerns that it would have pay excise duty twice.

The latest move will kick in when the ‘grace period’ for parcels between GB and Northern Ireland ends.

Amazon is reportedly planning on a date of 1 April.

upgrades and hotel stays.

PAYPOINT PROFITS PayPoint’s latest accounts show a fall in group net revenue of £3m to £24.5m which included the cessation of the British Gas contract

CONTACTLESS LIMIT COULD RISE TO £100

which was worth £1.7m. UK

The single payment limit on transactions using contactless technology could be increased to £100 as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) commits to consulting ‘shortly’ on a further change to the rules.

The new limit would be more than double the current limit as spending via contactless payments continues to grow during the coronavirus pandemic.

The limit was raised last year from £30 to £45.

The FCA has the power to set the boundaries for payments but card issuers retain the power to actually set the limits that are in force.

payment transactions and

retail services net revenue decreased by 1.4% to £10.6m, with 46.2% increases in card service fees from PayPoint One.

BOOHOO BOMBSHELL Debenhams has been sold to online only retailer Boohoo and all stores will be closed, impacting 12,000 jobs. The retailer and its administrators have steadfastly refused to engage with trade unions throughout the process.

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NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

New research by the Gift Card

NFRN PAYS OUT £125K TO MEMBERS IN NEED

& Voucher Association has

THE NFRN HAS NOW PAID OUT NEARLY £125,000 TO CASH-

found that demand for gift

STRAPPED MEMBERS FROM ITS COVID-19 HARDSHIP FUND.

GIFT CARDS GROW

cards has grown significantly under lockdown. One in four Brits (25.2%) purchased gift cards for others in December with over a third of these (34.1%) directly highlighting lockdown restrictions as their reason for doing so.

‘BE KIND’ PLEA Central England Co-op has launched a campaign urging shoppers to ‘be kind’ to shop colleagues after new statistics showed a rise in shocking incidents including knife attacks, verbal abuse,

Created last April, the Hardship Fund helps alleviate some of the financial pressures that independent retailers are facing due to the coronavirus pandemic. It offers financial assistance in the form of a grant to members suffering cash flow and other financial challenges.

NFRN National President Stuart Reddish said: “Covid-19 has impacted the livelihoods and businesses of independent retailers across the UK and Ireland, and the NFRN will continue to help members that are in dire need of financial assistance.

“While some members have seen a dramatic increase in their sales and profits during the coronavirus pandemic, others have had their footfall completely decimated due to their location or personal circumstances. I would like to thank our districts, branches and retail partners for their generous donations, which have enabled us to help 101 members and pay out £124,650 so far.

“If your store has to close or is struggling to survive due to Covid-19, apply for a grant today via the NFRN’s website, TheFedOnline.”

criminal damage, and staff being hospitalised. The retailer revealed that 312 crimes

GET YOUR BILLS PAID BY WALKERS!

related directly to the Covid-19 pandemic have been recorded in stores since the start of the pandemic.

FARE PLAY Bristol firm Stix Drinks, which supplies NHS hospitals and the government with immunityboosting vitamin drinks, has pledged to give 10p of every £1 spent on Stix for free school meals to Fare Share.

Following last year’s YAYcation campaign, Walkers has once again teamed up with Bestway for a competition that will see one lucky retailer’s utility bills paid for a year.

The competition runs until 25 March 2021. Retailers can enter as many times as the like by purchasing any qualifying case of Walkers crisps from Bestway either in-depot or online.

One winner will receive £8,970.55 cash to put towards their utility

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bills. Three runners-up will receive £1,495.09 each and 10 retailers will receive x 1 case of each Promotional Product.

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

ONS: LOCAL RETAILERS ‘HAVE HIGHER COVID RISK’

T

SMART FRIDGES AND ROBOTS TO BECOME ‘THE NORM’

THE LATEST ONS STATS SHOW THAT KEY WORKERS INCLUDING LOCAL

he Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released new data showing that key workers, including local retailers, have a higher risk of contracting Covid-19.

The findings have led shopworkers trade union Usdaw to redouble its demand that retailers should be prioritised for vaccines, testing and risk assessments.

The new statistics outline Covid death rates by occupation and show clearly that many key workers are at a higher risk than those in other occupations.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary says: “The new ONS statistics demonstrate that many key workers, who are providing essential services

during the pandemic, have an elevated Covid-19 related death rate. It is clear that close proximity to the public and other workers, as well as an indoor working environment are factors.

“This is worrying for our members in the essential food industry so we are working with employers to revisit risk assessments and ensure that all safety precautions are adhered to. The Government must prioritise vulnerable occupations in the second phase of the vaccine rollout, reflecting the risks they face. They have worked throughout the pandemic to keep the country supplied with essentials and these key workers must be valued, respected and protected.”

LIDL HANDS OUT £200 ‘THANK YOU’ TO STAFF Lidl is to hand all UK frontline staff a £200 payment to say thank you for their work and commitment during the coronavirus pandemic. Staff receiving the payment include customer assistants, warehouse staff and cleaning staff. Office staff will receive a £100 bonus.

The payout is expected to cost the discounter around £5.5m and benefit 25,000 staff.

TECH SOLUTIONS

RETAILERS ARE AT A HIGHER RISK OF CONTRACTING COVID-19.

Robot shelf-stackers and smart fridges will be the norm in supermarkets by 2030 and checkouts will have gone by then too, according to a large minority of shoppers who took part in a new study by software consultancy ThoughtWorks. Some 13% of respondents believe there will be no human staff in stores at all by 2030. A quarter believed the size of the average supermarket would likely grow – selling a range of additional items beyond food, although 19% believed the opposite: supermarkets would only exist online, or that food would come direct from the food producer and bypass retailers.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

MONSTER ENERGY DRINKS

SUPERCHARGE YOUR ENERGY DRINKS SALES WITH MONSTER WITH SALES UP AND GROWING FASTER THAN ALL OF ITS COMPETITORS, MONSTER IS THE DRIVING FORCE IN THE ENERGY CATEGORY.

Energy drinks are worth an incredible £667m to the convenience channel1, and are now the largest soft drinks segment2.

Up by 18% in value and growing faster than all its competitors3, Monster’s the driving force in the category4.

HERE’S THE LOWDOWN The core Monster range includes Monster Green, the third-biggest soft drinks SKU in convenience5.

Monster Ultra is the number one range in the Zero Sugar energy segment6, and includes Ultra Paradise – hot off the press as the winner of the sports and energy category at the SLR New Product of the Year Awards 2020.

And the great-tasting Monster Juiced range is worth £92m and in 44% growth7… not to mention relative newcomer Reign Total Body Fuel, already the number one performance energy brand in GB, and four times bigger than its nearest competitor8.

But Monster’s not stopping there.

MONSTER BRANDS, MONSTER PERFORMANCE

With energy drinks accounting for one in three on-the-go soft drinks sold in convenience in GB10, they should be given the space they deserve in the chiller. The challenge is to make that space work as hard as possible.

To help retailers determine which segments and variants to stock, how many of them, and how to bring the category to life in-store, Monster and its distributor Coca-Cola European Partners have launched an exciting new retailer support platform: salessupercharged.co.uk.

Visit www.salessupercharged.co.uk for more tips, trends, inspir

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

MONSTER ENERGY DRINKS

MONSTER’S TOP TIPS FOR SUPERCHARGED SALES 1. STAY COOL

throughout your store. Monster-

Shoppers are more likely to buy

branded coolers and display

an energy drink for immediate

units are a great way to maximise

consumption if it’s chilled. Make sure

standout.

they have easy access to cold cans.

NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2021

5. GET BEHIND PROMOTIONS 2. GET YOUR RANGE RIGHT

Bring the category to life by offering

72% of the energy sector’s

It’s important to stock products in

exciting promotions that tap into

growth over the last year has

all the main energy segments. Using

your shoppers’ interests. Who

come from new products , and

sales data is a good way to identify

doesn’t want to win a money-can’t-

more than half of that’s been

which lines can be removed to make

buy Monster prize?

down to Monster.

space for new launches.

9

6. KNOW YOUR SHOPPERS

Eager to maintain momentum, the brand’s come

3. KEEP IT CLEAR

Price Marked Packs can reassure

straight out of the blocks in

Help shoppers navigate the fixture

shoppers that they can get the

2021 with three new product

by grouping brands within each

products they want, at an affordable

launches:

sub-sector. If you can, signpost your

price11. Monster, Reign and

Q An energy twist on the iconic

Traditional, Zero Sugar, Flavoured

Relentless 500ml packs come in

and Performance Energy offerings.

PMPs, as do the Monster Green and

Moscow Mule, Monster Mule is the latest addition to the

Monster Ultra White four-packs*

brand’s core line-up, and the

4. ALLOCATE SECONDARY SPACE

– don’t forget to allocate space to

first ginger-flavoured energy

Energy drinks are big drivers of

take-home packs, especially at the

drink in GB.

impulse sales, and need to be visible

moment.

Q Monster Ultra Fiesta blends a juicy mango flavour with the Monster energy blend, delivering a delicious energy boost with no calories or sugar.

Q And bringing together a mix of peach and nectarine, Monster Juiced Monarch uses real fruit juice to create maximum taste.

*The recommended prices on CCEP PMPs are intended only as a guide for retailers, who are free to set prices as they wish.

Plain packs are also available.

1 Nielsen MAT Total Impulse w.e. 05.09.20 2 Nielsen MAT Total Impulse w.e. 05.09.20 3 Nielsen Home MAT Total Coverage incl discounters w.e.

05.09.20 4 Nielsen Home MAT Total Coverage incl discounters w.e.

05.09.20 5 Nielsen Week ending 5.9.2020 MAT Symbols and Indies Monster Green 500ml is the 3rd biggest SKU in value 6 Nielsen Home MAT Total Coverage inclu discounters w.e.

05.09.20 7 Nielsen Home MAT Total Coverage inclu discounters w.e.

05.09.20 8 Nielsen Answers Value Sales Total GB Ytd we 05.09.2020 (Reign Value is £4.6m/ Nearest competitor Value is £1.1m) 9 Nielsen Home MAT Total coverage value MAT: w/e 03.10.20 10 Nielsen: IC Energy drinks, Units Sold in Symbols and Indies YTD w.e 03.10.20 11 HIM Focus on price-marked packs 2019

“Monster Ultra is the number one range in the Zero Sugar energy segment and includes Ultra Paradise, winner of the sports and energy category at the SLR New Product of the Year Awards 2020.”

ration, equipment info and POS – and chances to win free stuff!

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11

INDUSTRY AWARDS

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020 WINNERS

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL WINNERS HANDBOOK

THE WINNERS OF THE INAUGURAL SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020 HAVE BEEN REVEALED FOR THE FIRST TIME

Y

TODAY IN A SPECIAL DIGITAL WINNERS HANDBOOK

ou can’t beat a bit of engaging and exciting NPD to drive footfall, sales and profits. Amidst the carnage of 2020, never was the role of NPD more important – which is why SLR unveiled the new SLR Products of the Year 2020 at the end of last year.

The new SLR Products of the Year Awards 2020 shine a light on the incredible role that suppliers have played in this most challenging of years for the sector.

The Awards recognise and reward the innovation, creativity and adaptability of the many suppliers who have delivered a stream of exciting new products in 2020 to help retailers generate excitement both in-store and on social media.

Critically, the SLR Products of the Year were chosen by the people that really matter: retailers themselves. All local retailers were able to vote for their favourite products of 2020 – and many did.

How did we choose the winners?

Q The winners were decided exclusively by retailer vote.

When there was only a small margin between the winner and the runner-up, we have awarded Highly Commended status.

Q All products that were launched in the 2020 calendar year and were available in the local retailing channel in Scotland were eligible for entry.

Q The shortlist was curated from a list of every product carried in SLR in print or digital in 2020 and scored against a selection of the most important engagement criteria including digital views, reads and clicks and offline retailer feedback.

Q All winners are entitled to carry the special Winners logo on-pack or in their marketing materials and all shortlisted entrants will be entitled to carry the special Shortlisted logo on-pack or in their marketing materials.

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13

RRP

£7.99

Available at

INDUSTRY AWARDS

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020 WINNERS

BEER TENNENT’S ZERO In a closely fought contest, Tennent’s

BISCUITS MCVITIE’S VIB RANGE

Zero was the choice in the beer

The biscuit category went to McVitie’s Very

category.

Important Biscuits (V.I.Bs), described by McVitie’s

Launched in October, the 0.0% beer has the same flavour profile as Tennent’s Lager, Scotland’s top-selling beer.

as its “finest biscuit to date”.

The V.I.Bs are available in three styles – Classic Caramel Bliss, Heavenly Chocolate Hazelnut and

With 42% of adult drinkers looking to cut

Luscious Blood Orange. Each biscuit is topped

down on alcohol, Tennent’s Zero is helping to

with chewy caramel and finished off with a thick

meet increased demand for the no and

coating of milk chocolate.

low category. With just 17kcal per 100ml,

The McVitie’s Very Important Biscuits range

Tennent’s Zero also appeals to those

launched with an RSP of £1.79 for each 250g pack,

consumers looking to reduce their calorie

giving retailers a good opportunity to trade-up

intake.

consumers.

It is sold in 4x440ml card packs.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

HIGHLY COMMENDED

JAMMIE DODGERS

GROLSCH UK RELAUNCH

VEGAN FRIENDLY

BREAD WARBURTONS HALF WHITE HALF WHOLEMEAL

CANDY SKITTLES GIANTS

Warburtons new Half White Half Wholemeal range

named the winner in the candy category.

of bakery products is the winner in the bread category.

Comprising medium and thick loaves, as well as rolls and Thins lines, each product is made with a

Skittles Giants from Mars Wrigley was Softer on the inside and bigger on the outside, Skittles Giants are three times the size of a standard Skittle.

According to research, shoppers for fruity

blend of half white and half wholemeal flour, and

confections expect a variety of flavours and

all products also have additional vitamin D and

textures. By creating a sweet that is bigger and

calcium.

softer than original Skittles, the company was

Darren Littler, Innovation Director at Warburtons, says, “The Half White Half Wholemeal range not

aiming to appeal to a broader range of shoppers.

Skittles Giants are available in a

only provides a great way of getting more fibre

single 45g pack, £1 PMP treat bag

Into the diet but It also makes it easy for busy

(125g), 141g value pouch and 170g

families to get a third of their

grocery pouch.

daily intake of vitamin D and

HIGHLY COMMENDED

calcium.”

VIMTO JUICY MIXUPS

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 15

INDUSTRY AWARDS

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020 WINNERS

CHOCOLATE ORANGE TWIRL Retailers enjoyed the return of Cadbury Orange Twirl in 2020, after a phenomenal limited-edition introduction in 2019.

CRISPS AND SNACKS DORITOS FLAMIN’ HOT TANGY CHEESE

Cadbury Twirl Orange offers consumers a twist

Doritos warmed up the snacks market in 2020 with

on a favourite brand, combining Cadbury’s number

the launch of its Flamin’ Hot Tangy Cheese variant.

one selling singles SKU with one of the nation’s

Pippa Pennington, Doritos Marketing Manager,

favourite chocolate flavours. The product is aimed

commented: “Shoppers are constantly looking for

at younger adult consumers.

snacks that excite them and break away from what

The 2020 edition was available from September last year, with an increased number of bars available after huge demand in 2019 caused wellpublicised shortages.

Nielsen rated the product as one of the leading

they would deem ‘the norm’. Doritos Flamin’ Hot Tangy Cheese flavour does just that. ” Available in 180g, 150g and 70g (£1 PMP) formats, the launch was supported with TV, online and in-store

product launches of 2019, despite only being

activity.

available for a few

HIGHLY COMMENDED

weeks.

KP £1 PMP RANGE

FOOD TO GO CHICAGO TOWN PIZZA TO GO

FREE FROM RUSTLERS MOROCCAN VEGETARIAN BURGER

The roll-out of the Chicago Town Pizza to Go concept was warmly welcomed by retailers in 2020.

The 12-inch takeaway pizzas are available in Loaded Cheese, Loaded Pepperoni, New Chicken & Bacon and New Manhattan Meaty varieties, and can be sold in quarters, halves or as full pizzas.

Retailers can use their existing ovens to heat the pizzas - they cook in 6-12 minutes - or source an

January 2020 saw the launch of the first vegetarian burger from Kepak Consumer Foods, the Rustlers Moroccan Vegetarian Burger.

It is made with chickpeas, grated carrot and coriander and served with mango chutney and a yoghurt and mint sauce.

Intended to help meet the growing demand

equipment solution from Chicago

for meat-free products, the new burger was also

Town. The company can also

developed to drive penetration

supply disposables and point of

amongst younger shoppers.

sale material.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

HIGHLY COMMENDED

QUORN VEGAN PEPPERONI

SPAR FOOD TO GO RANGE

SLICES

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 17

.

Y G R E N E R A G U S O .

E R E V Z A O W T S N I E L T A E S G A H C T A C OWTH. R G % 2 2 + .

G H ROWIN RY WIT G O E G E R T A A S C K E N I H ERGY DR RIVING T N D E D R N A A G R U B S .1 ZERO THE NO S I A R T L U R E MONST

TO POWER YOUR SALES, PLAY. Zero sugar energy drinks are big business. Time to take advantage with Sales Supercharged. The exciting new retailer support initiative from Monster. Learn which products are really driving sales. How to give your chiller more merchandising muscle. And get the low down on all the latest consumer trends. You’ll even get the chance to grab some free stock. Follow our advice now and supercharge your sales.

NEW

10 FREE CASES OF MONSTER OR RELENTLESS

Source: Zero Energy Drinks Are Growing – Nielsen Total Coverage Value (% growth 6%) MAT w/e 31.10.20.

Source: Monster Ultra is the No.1 brand driving the category with +22% growth – Nielsen Total Coverage Value (Monster Ultra Value Share 36%) MAT w/e 31.10.20 ©2020 Monster Energy Company. All rights Reserved. MONSTER ENERGY®,

®, MONSTER ENERGY ULTRA® are all registered trademarks of Monster Energy Company

INDUSTRY AWARDS

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020 WINNERS

GUM MARS WRIGLEY EXTRA REFRESHERS

HARD SELTZER ECHO FALLS ROSE SELTZER

Mars Wrigley set out to “recharge and

In a fast-growing category with lots of

refresh” the gum category with the launch of Extra

new contenders, retailers chose Echo Falls Rose

Refreshers last year, and the company’s efforts

Seltzer as the best new hard

have been acknowledged by retailers in our poll.

seltzer in 2020.

Combining a thin shell and a soft chew

A mix of rose wine,

experience, Extra Refreshers offers a longer-lasting

sparkling water and fruit

flavour in a choice of three flavours - Peppermint,

flavours, the 250ml cans

Spearmint and Bubblemint. Single packs of seven

contain just 69 kcal and

pieces have an RSP of 59p, and pre-filled counter

are 4.5% ABV.

top units are available through wholesalers.

Three flavours are available - Blueberry & Hibiscus; Strawberry & Pink Pepper; and Raspberry, Lychee & Rose.

HIGHLY COMMENDED SMIRNOFF NO. 21 RANGE

ICE CREAM BEN & JERRY’S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH CHUNKS

NICOTINE POUCHES NORDIC SPIRIT ELDERFLOWER

Fans of Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough brand were

Elderflower was added to the Nordic Spirit range

no doubt delighted by the launch of just the

in June 2020 and it was variant that retailers made

chunks as a standalone product in 2020.

their Product of the Year winner in the nicotine

Aimed at “chunk divers” who seek out the cookie dough pieces within the brand’s iconic

pouch category.

Designed as a discreet nicotine product for

ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie

occasions where smoking or vaping might not be

Dough Chunks brought the

possible, Nordic Spirit is supplied in a choice of

kind of innovation to the frozen

6mg and 9mg strengths.

food category last year that was

Also available in mint and

welcomed by retailers in our poll.

bergamot wildflower varieties,

The snackable dough chunks

Nordic Spirit has a rrp of £6.50

come in 170g bags, approximately

for a pack of 20 pouches. Price-

six servings.

marked packs are also available.

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

THANKS FOR THE

TAAAASTY AWARD

• Up to 3 hours’ hold time • New quarter slice and self serve boxes • New branded hot-hold equipment for self-serve day or night • 4 takeaway flavours

YOUR GO-TO PIZZA EXPERTS Contact foodtogo@oetker.co.uk for further information

INDUSTRY AWARDS

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020 WINNERS

OWN LABEL WINE SPAR PERLEZZA ROSÉ SPUMANTE The winner in the own-label wine category is Perlezza Rosé Spumante from SPAR. Sourced within Northern Italy, the wine

PERSONAL CARE AQUAFRESH SPLASH & SENSES RANGE GSK sweetened up the personal care market in

is described as refreshing with subtle fruit

2020 with the introduction of toothpastes with

flavours, perfect for al fresco dining or as

innovative fruit flavours under its Aquafresh brand.

an aperitif on a warm, sunny afternoon.

Launched in time for summer, the extra dry sparkling rosé joins the white grape

Aquafresh Splash is a strawberry and mint flavoured toothpaste for children aged 3-8 years.

Aquafresh Senses is designed to bring a fresh

Perlezza Brut within SPAR’s leading

approach to the adult toothpaste sector with two

sparkling wine brand family.

new flavours - Energising Grapefruit, Lemon & Mint

Philippa Carr, SPAR’s Master of Wine, said the rosé is “gently aromatic and certainly one for lovers of fruit.”

and Refreshing Watermelon, Cucumber & Mint.

Aquafresh Splash is available in 50ml and 75ml sizes, while Senses is supplied in 75ml tubes.

HIGHLY COMMENDED SPAR RIOS DE LOS ANDES MALBEC ROSE

PET CARE PEDIGREE DENTASTIX CHEWY CHUNX

RTDS PINK HOOCH

With owners spending more time with

pink last year, naming the brand’s latest

their dogs during lockdown, the market for pet oral

flavour extension as the best RTD launch of

care products grew strongly in 2020, helped in by

2020.

Retailers stocking Hooch were in the

the launch of Pedigree Dentastix Chewy Chunx.

Pink Hooch (ABV 4%) is an alcoholic

Designed to provide effective defence against

raspberry lemonade with a citrus kick,

plaque build-up throughout the day, Chewy Chunx

available in 275ml bottles, 440ml cans and

contains less than 3% fat, with 15kcal per treat and

70cl bottles in both price-marked and plain

no artificial flavours or added sugars.

formats.

The product is supplied in 68g packs, in chicken

The brand targeted consumers through

and beef varieties. There are also mini or maxi

digital media for the launch, and many

options in each

retailers used social media effectively to

flavour for both

raise awareness of the new product and to

smaller (5-14kg)

highlight availability.

and larger

HIGHLY COMMENDED

(15kg+) dogs.

BLOSSOM HILL GIN FIZZ RANGE

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

Product Launch of the Year winner.

• Menthol JUULpods win Vaping Product Launch of the Year from Scottish Local Retailer magazine.

• JUUL is the U.K.’s #1 vaping brand growing 63% year-over-year* • Full JUUL portfolio is available from your symbol operator and Batley’s, Booker, Filshill, and United Wholesale.

• Are you stocking the JUUL product range your customers want?

• Scan the barcode to add Menthol JUULpods to your basket.

Designed for adult smokers.

Not for sale to minors.

JUUL is an e-cigarette.This is an age-restricted product and age verification is required at sale. *Source: IRI Total Market Value Sales 4 weeks to 27th September 2020 TM and © 2021 JUUL Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.

WARNING: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.

INDUSTRY AWARDS

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020 WINNERS

SMOKING ACCESSORIES RIZLA FLAVOUR INFUSIONS

SOFT DRINKS RIBENA SPARKLING

Imperial Tobacco’s Rizla Flavour

The growing market for flavoured carbonates was

Infusions offered retailers and adult smokers of

recognised by retailers in our poll, identifying

menthol cigarettes an effective and convenient

Ribena Sparkling as the soft drinks launch of 2020.

solution after the ban on menthol and capsule cigarettes came into force in May 2020.

Rizla Flavour Infusions are flavour cards that can

Ribena Sparkling is available in two flavours across three formats - Ribena Sparkling Blackcurrant comes in 500ml, 2l and

be used to mentholate traditional factory made

6x330ml cans, while Ribena Sparkling

cigarettes or roll-your-own tobacco products by

Raspberry is available in 500ml and 2l.

inserting them into a cigarette or tobacco packet.

Flavoured carbonates have one of

Two different variants are available – Menthol

the highest penetrations of any soft

Chill and Fresh Mint.

drink category, with four out of five

Cards are packed separately, for sale

buyers consuming flavoured carbs

at an RSP of 25p each.

at least once a week.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

HIGHLY COMMENDED

ZIG ZAG LIGHTERS RANGE

DIET COKE SUBLIME LIME

SPIRITS GORDON’S SICILIAN LEMON

SPORTS & ENERGY MONSTER ULTRA PARADISE

In a category rich with variety and

Coca-Cola European Partners brought

innovation, Gordon’s Sicilian Lemon was retailers’

a tropical twist to the zero calorie energy drinks

favourite spirits launch of the year.

market last year with the launch of Monster Ultra

Introduced in time to hit the summer market, the product blends the classic characteristics of Gordon’s with the finest Sicilian lemons, using 100% natural flavours.

Capitalising on the ongoing gin trend,

Paradise, the winner of the sports & energy awards category.

The drink combines kiwi, lime and cucumber for a light and refreshing flavour, giving consumers an energy boost with no calories and no sugar.

Gordon’s Sicilian Lemon follows in the

The can design for Monster Energy Ultra

footsteps of Gordon’s Premium Pink

Paradise combine the brand’s flagship

Distilled Gin.

green colour with an idyllic island

The 37.5% ABV product is supplied in

landscape. The product can be sold in

70 cl bottles.

plain or pricemarked packs (PMP £1.29).

HIGHLY COMMENDED

HIGHLY COMMENDED

DEAD MAN’S FINGERS RANGE

RED BULL ZERO

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23

6 WEEKS’ FREE DELIVERY

*

*New customers only.

We know it’s not nice out there at the moment.

But there’s no need to leave home with 6 weeks’ free delivery of your newspaper straight to your door (you only pay for the paper).

Visit: DELIVERMYNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Or if you don’t have internet access call: 0800 980 6907 New customers only. Free delivery for 6 weeks. The price of the newspapers will apply and must be paid in full to your newsagent. Terms and conditions apply, see delivermynewspaper.co.uk/terms/the-sun for details.

INDUSTRY AWARDS

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020 WINNERS

SQUASH RIBENA RASPBERRY & RHUBARB

TOBACCO STERLING DUAL CAPSULE LEAF WRAPPED

Ribena topped the voting with its

JTI stole a march on its competitors with the

Raspberry & Rhubarb squash flavour

launch of Sterling Dual Capsule Leaf Wrapped,

which it introduced into the wholesale

a new King Size Cigarillo containing a Virginia

channel in July.

blend tobacco and, unlike conventional cigarettes,

Ribena Raspberry & Rhubarb squash is available in cases of 6 x 600ml bottles, price-marked at £1.50.

The launch came at a time when squash sales in the independent and

wrapped in tobacco leaf.

It also has a mentholated capsule in the filter, MEDIA MEDIA INFORMATION INFORMATION ForFor immediate immediate release release

which existing adult smokers can click to release a peppermint flavour.

JTI JTI launches launches Sterling Sterling Dual Dual Capsule Capsule Leaf Leaf Wrapped Wrapped cigc

Sterling Dual Capsule Leaf Wrapped has an RRP

symbol channel were nearly double

of £4.50 and 10 pack

what they were the same time the

size.

previous year.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

HIGHLY COMMENDED

JPS PLAYERS

VIMTO REMIX ORANGE,

CRUSHBALL LEAF

STRAWBERRY & LIME

WRAPPED

London, London, January January 2020 2020 – JTI – JTI hashas today today announced announced thethe launch launch of Sterling of Sterling Du Wrapped Wrapped – an – an innovative innovative new new cigarillo cigarillo product. product.

VAPING JUUL MENTHOL

TheThe King King Size Size Cigarillos Cigarillos contain contain a Virginia a Virginia blend blend tobacco tobacco and, and, unlike unlike conven conv areare wrapped wrapped in tobacco in tobacco leaf. leaf.

The winner of the vaping category for

WINE CAMPO VIEJO RIOJA TEMPRANILLO PMP

2020 is Menthol JUULpods.

Brand owner Pernod Ricard UK’s decision toalso Sterling Sterling Dual Dual Capsule Capsule Leaf Leaf Wrapped Wrapped willwill also allow allow retailers retailers to tap to tap intointo thethe cur

Launched last April shortly before the ban on

Rolling Rolling outout across across all all channels channels from from January, January, Sterling Sterling Dual Dual Capsule Capsule Leaf Le mentholated mentholated capsule capsule in in thethe filter, filter, which which existing existing adult adult smokers smokers cancan cli peppermint peppermint flavour. flavour.

TheThe cigarillos cigarillos joinjoin thethe successful successful Sterling Sterling Dual Dual family, family, wh i . i. share share of over of over 40% 40% with with an an RRP RRP of £4.50* of £4.50* andand 10 10 pack pack size. size.

offer a price-marked pack (PMP) ofof ofSales Ross Ross Hennessy, Hennessy, Head Head Sales at JTI at JTI UK,UK, says: says: “We “We areare committed committed to pto

with with as as much much choice choice as as possible possible by by launching launching innovative innovative new new products products thattha re

menthol and capsule cigarettes took effect, JUUL

its bestselling Campotrends.

Viejo trends. Rioja

Labs’ new menthol line gave adult smokers an

“We “We expect expect thatthat Sterling Sterling Dual Dual Capsule Leaf Leaf Wrapped Wrapped cigarillos cigarillos willwill become becom Tempranillo paid off as retailers voted itCapsule for for adult adult smokers smokers andand appreciated appreciated by by those those looking looking for for value-for-money value-for-money toba to

alternative product to switch to, and retailers an

their favourite wine launch ofinformation, the retailers year.

ForFor more more information, retailers should should visitvisit thethe refreshed refreshed jtiadvance.co.uk jtiadvance.co.uk site, s

alternative product to sell.

At the launch, John Patterson, JUUL Labs UK

local local JTIJTI sales sales representative. representative.

The £7.99 price point wasareare * Retailers * Retailers of course of course freefree to choose to choose to sell to sell JTIJTI products products at whatever at whatever price price they the ch communicated via a neck sticker to

sales director said: “With electronic nicotine

reassure shoppers when they bought the

delivery systems (ENDS), adult smokers have

UK’s number one red wine (Nielsen MAT,

a choice of flavours and a range of

year to 21 March 2020).

alternative options that may help them

Pernod Ricard ensured additional stock

transition away from combustible

was available to convenience retailers as

cigarettes. Indeed JUUL Labs and the

it launched the PMP in May 2020.

ENDS category exist to help end the era

HIGHLY COMMENDED

of combustible cigarettes.”

19 CRIMES SAUVIGNON BLOCK

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25

Following Orders

Introducing Appetite, the app for delivery, click ’n collect and hot food orders, now integrated with EDGEPoS.

Grocery and alcohol click ’n collect or delivery Corporate ordering facility Hot food/deli click ’n collect and delivery Grow existing sales and acquire new customers Food nutrition and allergen information (EU 1169/11) Optional in-store self-service kiosks (additional costs apply)

VIVO Larne reported 80% of Appetite shoppers are new customers

Take control of your orders Live stock view on app

Zero commission

Receive a terminal and printer for managing all orders

Bludot Technologies Dashboard for marketing and reporting

Powered by:

+44 (0)28 9094 1900

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enquiries@henderson.technology

@_HendersonTech

www.bludottechnologies.com

CHARITY

GROCERYAID DAY HOW TO GET INVOLVED

DO YOUR BIT FOR GROCERYAID DAY

ORDER YOUR FREE TOOLKIT HERE

TUESDAY 2 MARCH IS GROCERYAID DAY AND THE CHARITY IS ASKING RETAILERS AND SUPPLIERS FOR THEIR HELP IN RAISING AWARENESS WITH COLLEAGUES ABOUT THE RANGE OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO THEM.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED Q Visit the website [insert link: www.groceryaid. org.uk] and order your free printed materials using the order form. For guaranteed delivery, make sure to order before 15 February.

Q Download your chosen digital materials from the promotional materials page.

Q Tell the charity how you are planning to raise awareness on GroceryAid Day by emailing

W

2ND MARCH 2021 GROCER AID DAY

ith a mission to reach everyone working in grocery, the charity has created a marketing toolkit to help business owners reach their colleagues this year, wherever they might be based or currently working.

Printed material such as wallet cards, posters and flyers can be ordered for free directly from the GroceryAid website to communicate with colleagues working on the front line.

For guaranteed delivery before the big day on 2 March, orders must be submitted by 15 February.

Digital materials, which can be used in internal or

news@groceryaid.org.uk.

Q Follow GroceryAid on social media – if posting on social media tag @groceryaid and hashtag #groceryaidday.

Q Sign up to the newsletter and share with your colleagues.

external virtual communications, can also be downloaded from the site.

In the current environment, it is arguably more important than ever to raise awareness of the charity on GroceryAid Day. In the last year, the charity has seen a 55% increase in applications for financial support, the number of financial grants paid is up by 87% and there have been 74% more calls to the national helpline. The charity has also doubled the number of Relate counselling sessions delivered.

FIND OUT MORE HERE. DON’T FORGET, THE FREE HELPLINE IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY ON 08088 021 122.

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL – CADBURY NUTTIER TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

NUTTY NEW LAUNCHES FROM CADBURY

MONDELEZ IS HELPING RETAILERS CASH IN ON CONSUMER INTEREST IN THE

HEALTHIER SNACKING BARS CATEGORY WITH THE LAUNCH FO A NEW BRAND.

Mondelez is helping you expand your ‘Healthier

With a hit of indulgence from the nation’s favourite

Bars’ range with the launch of a brand-new fruit

chocolate, Cadbury Nuttier is one of the first

and nut snack brand, Cadbury Nuttier!

products within the ‘Healthier Bars’ segment to

Three new flavours are available now in these 40g single bars with wholesome, tasty ingredients:

include milk chocolate – making it a great option for retailers.

Range these tasty new bars from Cadbury

Q Peanut & Almond

in your designated ‘Healthier Bars’ segment or

Q Cranberry, Peanut & Almond

alongside existing single biscuit bars.

Q Coconut & Almond

RSP: £1.19

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 13 / WEDNESDAY 15TH JULY 2020

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK MEDIA SPECIAL – SNAPPY SHOPPER TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

SNAPPY SHOPPER UNVEILS SECOND NATIONAL TV CAMPAIGN

HOME DELIVERY PLATFORM SNAPPY SHOPPER WILL BE BACK ON TV WITH ITS SECOND NATIONAL CAMPAIGN.

Snappy Shopper, the home delivery app and web

significant gains in awareness, and growth

platform targeted at the local convenience sector,

in the number of new users has accelerated

is going back on TV, radio and digital channels in

significantly since our first campaign last autumn.

its second national advertising campaign.

This time, our traditional media and digital activity

Running for three weeks from 25 January to

will run concurrently, to make the most of the

14 February 2021, the campaign will be on TV in

growth in On-demand Convenience. It will cover

Scotland and Wales, on radio in other areas of

all existing delivery areas in Scotland, England,

the UK, and across an array of digital and social

Wales and Northern Ireland.

media channels in order to drive consumers to

Stores using the app are supporting the

the delivery service of the 650 stores currently

campaign with free delivery coupons. “The

affiliated to the platform. The six-figure investment

key objective of this campaign is to generate

aims to generate nearly 60m impressions in total.

increased awareness of Snappy Shopper and

Philippe

Rondepierre,

Snappy

Shopper

Marketing Director, said: “We have made

encourage potential users to make their first purchase,” added Rondepierre.

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

RE HE R K TE IC EN C L TO

The Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards

‘A growing number of shoppers are turning to local products during lockdown.

Get noticed by entering your products and be in with a chance of winning a listing in retail outlets across Scotland including our Small Producer Partner SPAR Scotland’s stores.’

SPONSORS Small Producer Sponsor

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

M E D I A PA RT N E R S

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

PA RT N E R S

Entry deadline Friday 26 Feb 2021 Awards presentations take place April 2021. Full information & entry online www.scottishretailfoodanddrinkawards.com Follow us on Twitter @ScottishRFD

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

DOUBLE DOUGH

DISCO FEVER

NEW PEAKS

Unilever has expanded the

KP Snacks has introduced a

Nairn’s is introducing new

Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough

£1 price-marked pack for its

pack designs across its range

ice cream range with Twists,

Discos crisps, available on 70g

of products, inspired by the

featuring a seam of dough.

bags of Salt & Vinegar, which

Scottish landscape and Munro

Two styles are available -

is the brand’s most popular

mountains. The new look

vanilla-based Rain-Dough

flavour. KP says that £1 bags

starts with Nairn’s flagship

and chocolatey Dough-ble

are growing ahead of the

oatcakes range, with other

Chocolate, in 465ml tubs.

market at more than 14% per

lines following over the coming

RSP: £5.49

year.

months.

BAR BELLE

LUCKY BREK

CHIPPING IN

Everyday protein bar

Ready Brek is offering

Walkers is offering Bestway

brand Premier Protein has

consumers the chance to

customers and Bargain Booze

announced that professional

have their central heating bills

retailers the chance to win

dancer, TV judge and fitness

paid for a year in an on-pack

nearly £9,000 off their utility

fan Oti Mabuse, will be the

competition. The promotion

bills in a campaign running

face of a new Instagram

coincides with TV advertising

until 25 March. Each purchase

campaign to drive awareness

and in-store support running

of a case from over 40

of the product throughout

throughout February and

qualifying products will register

February.

March.

an entry to the prize draw.

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 31

SUSTAINABILITY

PAPER-BASED BOTTLES ABSOLUT

ABSOLUT SUSTAINABILITY

P

ABSOLUT HAS BEGUN THE ROLL OUT OF A PAPER-BASED, FULLY RECYCLABLE BOTTLE, WITH AN INITIAL RUN OF 2,000 IN THE UK AND SWEDEN.

ernod Ricard is trialling paper-based bottles for its Absolut brand as part of an ongoing global sustainability programme.

An initial batch of 2,000 bottles is being rolled out from this week in the UK and Sweden.

The prototype bottle is made up of recyclable content – 57% paper and 43% recycled plastic – with the plastic making up a thin layer within the bottle that can be successfully recycled after use. The normal Absolut glass bottle already uses 47% recycled glass, but the paper prototype is the brand’s first step to achieving a fully bio-based bottle able to contain spirits. The brand’s ultimate ambition is to meet the Ellen MacArthur Foundation target of ensuring all primary packaging is 100% recyclable, compostable, reusable and/or bio-sourced.

The project is a collaborative initiative with the Paboco pioneer community, which includes a number of industry leaders in the FMCG sector. In the UK, the trial will see Absolut partner with design-led and sustainability influencers to drive awareness of the prototypes on social media, and offer consumers the chance to win a uniquely numbered paper bottle.

The influencers are also being challenged to customise a bottle with their own design and create a unique limitededition item for their followers to win.

Marnie Corrigan, Brand Director at Pernod Ricard UK, commented: “Absolut understands the crucial role we must all play in having a positive impact on the environment. Lasting change takes time and the paper bottle explores alternative

32 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 13 / WEDNESDAY 15TH JULY 2020

materials as part of our journey towards a sustainable future of packaging.

“In our passion for progression, we are proud to continue our long-standing support and collaboration with the creative industries through commissioning one-of-a-kind bottle designs from rising creatives from across the UK.”

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX COKE D2C WEBSITE

COKE JOINS THE D2C TREND COKE IS THE LATEST COMPANY TO JOIN THE GROWING LIST OF MAJOR MANUFACTURERS SELLING PRODUCTS DIRECT TO CONSUMERS, A TREND THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON LOCAL RETAILERS DOWN THE LINE.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? D2C. Or, to give it its full Sunday name, Direct To Consumer. Coke has just unveiled a new website called Your Coca-Cola where it’s selling a limited range of its products straight to consumers.

SO IT’S PARTIALLY A DATA PLAY? You would have to assume so. Over time they would develop a database of customers and would be able to analyse their shopping patterns and habits, just the way Amazon does.

HOW DOES THAT WORK THEN?

BUT IT CUTS OUT RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS?

Shoppers just order online as they would do via any other online retailing site. Their orders are then delivered direct to their door. There’s also free delivery on orders over £30 and the offer of a £5 credit for shoppers who ‘refer a friend’.

It does indeed. Although the range available is very limited and there’s a lot of glass bottles, which perhaps suggests that Coke might be offloading a lot of the on-trade stock they haven’t been able to shift during the pandemic with hospitality being closed.

IS IT NEW? No, many major suppliers like Pernod Ricard do it, albeit usually on a very small scale. But don’t be surprised if it continues to grow in future.

The benefits of D2C to suppliers are obvious: grow a database of customers they can talk directly to, reduce costs, more control over how the brand is presented and so on.

SHOULD RETAILERS BE WORRIED? It’s probably unlikely to get to any sort of scale big enough to concern retailers any time soon – but it may be a sign of what’s to come in future.

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33

500ml

EwW N e l b a l i a no av big can

• IRN-BRU ENERGY IS GROWING 4 X FASTER THAN TOTAL ENERGY* • 60% OF SHOPPERS ALWAYS BUY THE SAME SIZE CAN** •

ADD 500ML TO TURBo CHARGE YOUR SALES

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS / OVERWEIGHT CYCLISTS

ALDI SOCKS IT TO ‘EM

As charity work goes it’s pretty unusual, but it may surprise you to learn that Aldi customers in Scotland have donated more than 1,000 pairs of unwanted socks since Boxing Day. The discounter has been running a ‘Sock Amnesty’ that lets customers help the homeless by donating unwanted and unused socks in store until the end of January.

Its ‘Not Socks Again?! campaign launched on Boxing Day and Aldi customers and colleagues have already donated over 1,000 pairs of new socks to support the work of three homeless charities: Simon Scotland, Aberdeen Cyrenians, and Trust in Fife.

Aldi is also donating £250 to each charity to further support the vital work they do in the community.

STICKY SITUATION FOR THE WORLD MARMALADE AWARDS

There’s awards for everything these days but we were nevertheless surprised to hear that there is a World’s Original Marmalade Awards. Paddington would certainly approve.

They’ve apparently taken place every year since 2005 but, like the rest of us, the organisers have had to roll with the Covid punches. It is with a heavy heart and a tear in either eye that we report that the results won’t be announced in February as usual, but will instead be delayed until June to allow all entries to be judged safely.

At The Week In Retail we are particularly looking forward to hearing who won the ‘Marmalade For a Friend’ category.

That’s a fair swap as far as we’re concerned.

If you’re desperate to find out more you can visit the Awards here.

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 40 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 35

SUPPORTING GROCERY COLLEAGUES The GroceryAid Covid-19 Fund is designed to help colleagues who need support now and throughout the full impact of the pandemic.

Grocery colleagues have access to:

“Amid the huge challenge of Covid-19 our trade has done a great job of keeping the nation fed. GroceryAid has raised a special Covid-19 fund to help our industry colleagues at this time of need. The 24/7 Helpline will deal with concerns and assist with financial stress caused by this terrible virus.”

- Charles Wilson, GroceryAid President

Mental Health Support Offering ‘in the moment’ emotional and practical support for colleagues dealing with shock, anxiety and stress through BACP trained counsellors, our Health and Wellbeing portal and Woebot, our AI Robot App. Bereavement Financial Assistance Providing financial assistance for the loss of a loved one through Covid-19. Available to colleagues who lose a partner or the immediate family of a colleague who has passed away as a result of Covid-19 whilst working in our industry.

Crisis Grants Non-repayable grants, designed to help with financial emergencies. This is available for colleagues experiencing unexpected financial difficulties due to Covid-19 with a year’s industry service.

GroceryAid Helpline: 08088 021 122 Visit: www.groceryaid.org.uk Follow us: